2010 · 14 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2010 MINI Cooper MOT pass rate and common faults

972 MOT tests in 2024. 68.9% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time68.9%
Failed or needed repairs31.1%
Typical mileage at test81,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 972 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working10.1%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
    26 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    19 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.4%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.4%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.2%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics23.4%
  2. Emissions & leaks7.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  4. Brakes6.1%
  5. Suspension5.8%
  6. Tyres5.3%
  7. Body & chassis1.4%
  8. Steering0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.6%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 MINI Cooper?

In 2024, 68.9% of 2010 MINI Cooper cars passed their MOT first time, across 972 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 MINI Cooper?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2010 MINI Cooper reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 116, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).